COCONUT ISLAND TOURIST AREA

COCONUT ISLAND TOURIST AREA

Coconut Island is located within the Hoa Binh Lake tourist zone, under the administration of Thong Nhat Ward, Phu Tho Province, and has been recognized as a local tourist attraction.

There are several ways to reach Coconut Island, but the most convenient route is via Thung Nai Port, situated about 20 km from Hoa Binh City center along the Tay Tien – Thung Nai road.

From Thung Nai Port, it takes about 30 minutes by boat across Hoa Binh Lake to reach Coconut Island. The damming of the river to build the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant created this vast lake, where the peaks of hills and mountains became islands of varying sizes amid the immense water, forming a “Ha Long Bay on the mountains” with picturesque and poetic scenery. Cruising on the lake, visitors can enjoy the charming landscapes with glimpses of traditional stilt houses of the Muong and Dao ethnic groups nestled among the green foliage on islands and peninsulas.

Coconut Island covers an area of 10 hectares, of which 2 hectares have been developed for tourism. Initially, it was like many other pristine islands, covered in wild forest, reeds, and tangled vines. Over the years, the owner brought more than 200 coconut trees from Thanh Hoa Province and planted them around the island along with dozens of other fruit trees. Thriving in the favorable soil and climate, the lush coconut trees now stand out amidst the island’s greenery, giving it a unique character and inspiring the name “Coconut Island.”

To welcome tourists, the island’s owner built 17 large stilt houses in the traditional style of the Muong and Thai ethnic groups. Each house can accommodate 30–50 guests with full living facilities. The dining area can serve up to 500 meals at a time. The island also features recreational areas, bonfire and cultural exchange zones, sports grounds, fishing areas, walking paths, public restrooms, five passenger boats (each with a capacity of 60 guests and equipped with safety gear), and smaller motorboats for individual travelers. The docking areas for boats are harmoniously arranged with the natural scenery of trees, water, and sky.

Although located on the lake, Coconut Island is fortunate to be connected to the national power grid, ensuring reliable electricity supply. In addition, a high-capacity generator is always on standby. Visitors can watch several central and local television channels, and telephone communications work well, allowing guests to stay connected.

On average, Coconut Island welcomes 300–350 visitors per week, totaling about 14,400–16,800 visitors annually. Most are students, researchers, workers, employees of factories and companies, families on weekend trips, and pilgrims to Den Bo Temple. About 25% of visitors stay overnight on the island.

In addition to its traditional services, Coconut Island has expanded its offerings to include water transport for sightseeing tours around the lake, visiting scenic and cultural sites such as Thac Bo Temple, Thac Bo Cave, Love Waterfall – Trach Stream, Ngoi Hoa Bay, Hoa Tien Cave, Windmill Island, Green Island, and Pearl Island. It also offers trekking, hiking, and fishing experiences. The island is further being developed to host large-scale events such as conferences, workshops, training courses, festivals, gatherings, and camping programs, catering to diverse tourist needs.

Located within the Hoa Binh Lake Tourist Area, which has been designated by the Government as a National Tourist Area under Vietnam’s Master Plan for Tourism Development to 2020 with a vision to 2030, Coconut Island has become—and continues to grow as—an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists visiting Phu Tho.